3 Jaguars players who could be spared after the NFL salary cap spike

Mike Florio of NBC Sports was told by an NFL executive that the salary cap could be $8 million higher than the projected $242 million for 2024. The official sum ended up being higher than that, $13 million more, to be precise. The Jacksonville Jaguars, like other teams, could benefit from the increase.

Before the spike, the Jags were projected to have around $ 11 million in space. They have $23 million after the adjustment. That should be more than enough to help them re-sign Calvin Ridley and outside linebacker Josh Allen. Also, it should help them keep a few players that they otherwise wouldn't have brought back, including the next three.

3. Darious Williams, cornerback

Cornerback Darious Williams was seen as a potential cap casualty despite the fact that he had a Pro Bowl-caliber season in 2023. The reason? He's set to count $11.5 million against the cap. That's not an outrageous amount but releasing him would create $11 million in space with just $500,000 in dead money. That's a tempting sum for a team in need of room to breathe.

But with the cap spike, Williams' spot with the Jaguars should be safe. For the sake of argument, let's say the team's brass move on from him, would they be able to find his replacement, someone who can immediately contribute, in free agency or the draft?

Granted, there are doubts about Williams' potential fit in Ryan Nielsen's scheme but the Jags shouldn't give up on him before even giving him a shot. Having the extra space should make it possible. Heck, they could even keep him around for training camp, and if they see that he's not a viable option, they should then let him walk. Even then, they would still be able to release him and create space.

The difference is that the Jaguars don't have to make a decision right away thanks to the cap increase. Now, they can take the time to assess Williams and other players on the roster before making a move.